139.Something about the Basson Family of Montagu
Updated: 08/10/2025
Wedding of Ewie Basson to Justine Joubert
Bridesmaids: L – R Shelia (bride’s sister), Rona (bride’s sister), Bestman: Flippie Basson , Peggy Daneel, Mynie Basson (sister of groom)
Flower Girls: Suzanne Joubert (dogter van Epsie en Mienie Joubert), Jean (tweede jongste suster van bruid)
Picture: taken in grounds of La Rochelle owned at the time by P.J. Joubert who was the brides Oupa.
Berig geskrywe oor die troue van Ewie Basson en Justine Joubert
deur mnr D J Nolte op 27 Junie 1938
Vir publikasie in Die Burger
Die besendings blomme en geskenke wat verlede week gestroom het na La Rochelle, die sierlike woon-oord van mev. die weduwee P. J. Joubert, het ‘n geheim verraai wat Saterdag openbaar geraak het toe mnr. Ewie Basson (Stadsklerk) en mej. Justine Joubert, kleindogter van mev. Hester Joubert en dogter van mev die weduwee Daisy Joubert, hulle huweliksgaste daar ontvang het.
Hester Joubert (Mrs P.J. Joubert) the matriarch of the Joubert family of La Rochelle
Daisy Joubert mother of bride
Die egband is in die NG Kerk gelê deur dr D J Louw. ‘n Pragtige solo is gesing deur mnr. J. le Roux onder begeleiding van mev. Anderson. Die bruid is die kerk ingelei deur mnr Epsie Joubert (haar oom) en het daar lief uitgesien in ‘n wit “chantilly” kant taberd met ‘n “plain tulle” sluier. Sy is gevolg deur haar drie susters mejj. Sheila, Rona en Jeanne (ongelukkig het die jongste sustertjie ter elfder ure waterpokkies gekry sodat haar plek as blommemeisie geneem is deur Susan Joubert). Die ander twee strooimeisies was mejj Peggy Daneel en Maynie Basson. Die hele bruidgevolg was gekleed in blaargroen net oor “figure taffeta slips” met pers fluweel strikke. In hulle hare het hulle viooltjies gedra en ook handruikertjies van dieselfde blomme. Die bruid self het ‘n ruiker van rose gedra.
Die bruid se moeder was gekleed in ‘n tweestuk tabbberd van marine blou “figured cloque” en het ‘n ruiker van geel Ophelia rose gehou.
Die bruidegom se moeder was gekleed in ‘n marine blou baadjiepak met ‘n ruiker van rooi rose. Terwyl die ouma daar besonder goed uitgesien het in haar swart tabberd met bypassende hoed en ‘n ruiker van donkerrooi angeliere.
Mnr. Flippie Basson het die bruidegom bygestaan en ook die resepsie gereël. Toesprake is gemaak deur dr D J Louw, mnre George Brink, G R du Toit en Phillipie Basson waarop die bruidegom gepas geantwoord het.
Onder die gaste van elders is opgemerk: mnr. en mev. Basson (ouers van bruidegom), mnr. G. Basson (Paarl), mev. A. Basson (Springbok), mev. Pietie le Roux, mnr. Kowie de Wet en gesin (Zandvliet) en mev. Roworth (Kaapstad).
Na die huwelik het die bruidspaar per motor vertrek na die Wildernis van waar hulle deur die binneland gaan reis en ook die broer op Springbok sal besoek.
(Nota – die Korrespondent het blykbaar gesukkel met die beskrywing van die klere en het dan die engelse beskrywing gegee waarna die Redaksie van die Burger dit in Afrikaans vertaal het)
Montagu Historic Society W/A group (05/07/2024): Ewie Basson was sedert 1935 verbonde aan die Munisipaliteit as stadsklerk tot 1948. Hy het bedank omdat hy aangestel is by AEROWINKEL as bestuurder en het in ongeveer 1958/59 Goldblatt se winkel h/v Kohler en Badstraat gekoop en in 1970 verkoop het.
Hy het nog vir ʼn verdere 29 jaar gedien op die stadsraad. Gedurende die tyd was hy onderburgermeester van Montagu vir 6 jaar en daarna burgermeester vir 11 jaar. Hy was die vader van Adri Basson kaptein van Grens (onder sy kapteinskap het die Grens-span die Britse Leeus geklop) en SWA (Namibia) en Junior Springbokke. Ook van Pietman Basson Bolandspeler en skoonvader van Corné Krige, Springbokkaptein.
4 Generations: L/R: Mrs. P.J. Joubert, Daisy Van Zyl (Joubert), Justine Basson (Joubert) and Ardri
Ewie and Justine
1978 Braaikompetisie ‘nasionale’ pret
(source unknown clipping from Montagu Museum archive)
TWAALF jaar gelede het Montagu besluit om tydens hul muskadelfees ’n kompetisie te hou. Dit sou ’n besondere kompetisie wees, die eerste van sy soort in die land. Suid-Afrika se eerste braaivleiskompetisie!
Mev. Justine Basson, ’n bekende inwoner van die dorp, het hierdie unieke idee gekry. Sy het gedink dat daar ’n item op die program van die fees moes wees waarmee die fees op ’n gepaste wyse afgesiuit kon word. So ietsie spesiaals, of, soos sy gesê het, “nasio- nale sports”.
Na ’n aanvanklike gesukkel om die nodige en- toesiasme vir hierdie “vreemde idee” op te wek, het die planne egter vinnig begin vlot. Die Vleisraad het die reels en ’n puntelys voorgestel. Die organiseerders moes toe net die terrein verskaf, die beoordelaars nooi en vir inskrywings wag.
Die braaiers moes in spanne indee! en het skaaptjops, rib en wors gebraai. Bykosse en drinkgoed was opsioneel, maar wie wil dan net ’n stukkie vleis braai en verder niks nie?
Die punte is toegeken aan die smaak en gaarmaak van die vleis. Wat vooraf met die vleis gedoen is en waar dit vandaan gekom het, was nie belangrik nie.
Die beoordelaars, onder andere Madeleine van Biljon, Betsie Roodt, prof. Merwe Scholtz, wyle oom Paul Sauer en ’n groep joernaliste, moes bontstaan om te kyk na die verskillende spanne se tegnieke. Die tipe hout wat gekies is vir die vuur, die kwaliteit van die kole (of “kolekontrole” soos prof. Scholtz dit gestel het) en die gehalte, bereiding en hantering van die vleis.
Daar is baie gepraat, bespreek en bowenal geproe. Die uiteinde was dat begin dink is om interprovinsiaal op te tree. Soos die heerlike eetgoed gemaak is, is dit verslind (natuurlik na die beoordelaars hul deeltjie gekry het). Met sulke pret het die eerste braaivleiskompetisie tot ’n einde gekom.
Sedertdien het hierdie kompetisie ’n instelling geword op die muskadelfees. Inskrywings het meer en meer geword en mense het van ver gekom om deel te neem. Vanjaar is geen uitsondering nie.
’n Span Pukke kom van Transvaal om teen ander gedugte spanne te kom deelneem. Die kompetisie vind op Saterdag, 13 Oktober plaas en nog inskrywings is welkom.
Spanne wat wil deelneem, kan mnr. Louis Kachelhoffer skakel by (0234) 42230 vir verdere inligting.
Justine and Ewie lived in this house no.1 Kohler Street (The house was known as La Guerenne)
Pictures: “Transnet Heritage Library Photo Collection”
The Basson Family
Back: Adri, Wilna and Ewie. Front: Pietman (Peter Joubert Basson) Justine and La Guerenne (Rennie)
Happy memories of Kohler Street by daughter La Guerenne (Rennie)
Rennie and the family donkey Japie
Japie, the donkey, with the donkey cart and kids- Rennie, Pietman, Gardener and De Villiers children and more?
Ewie’s delivery van providing Rennie and her friends (Plax and Sadie kids) with a local shuttle service
Stoffeltjie a welcome addition to the family
Stoffeltjie the baboon, Rennie, Willem Hofmeyr and Pietman.
Stoffeltjie and Rennie
Nomination for Montaguer of the Year award
Justine receives her trophy from Arthur Wegelin
Justine with Wilna
Justine with small trophy that she kept
At the Montagu Nature Garden with Babsie Van Zyl perhaps Arbour Day?
Rennie outside the stone hut called “Just Babs” in the Montagu Nature Garden built by her brother Adri for their mother Justine and Babs Van Zyl two of the gardens pioneers.
Mrs Fensham, Justine, Professor Fensham (Event unknown)
Justine place and time of photo unknown
A talk by Justine’s friend Babsie Van Zyl to say goodby when Justine left Montagu
NATURE GARDEN 23.08.88
BABSIE’S FAREWELL SPEECH TO JUSTINE BASSON
Dames en Here,
Van al die gewillige, entoesiastiese helpers, die lede en vriende vand die Montagu Tuinbouvereniging wat die afgelope 34 jaar met sulke getroue, selflose opofferinge en volgetroue toewyding in die Natuurtuin ge-arbei het, of op ander maniere betrokke was of nog steeds betrokke is by die tuin, is daar niemand watt so ‘n groot liefde viir die tuin het soos Justine nie. Nog nooit was enige plig in verband met die Tuin of Tuinbouverenigig vir haar te veel nie. Haar toewyding is volkome.
Dis waarlik ‘n voorreg om hierdie geleentheid te hê om hulde aan haar te bring. ‘n Plesies is dit egter nie. Ons neem te swaar van haar afskeid. Die leemte wat sy laat kan nooit gevul word nie. Ons kan dit net nie keinkry dat sy Montagu gaan verlaat nie.
Justine onthou jy nog daardie eerste dag by die tuin?
Ladies and gentlemen,
Perhaps you won’t mind accompanying us on a brief stroll down memory lane. It will give Justine great pleasure to be reminded of those early years when the garden was young and when we were young – those years to which Justine always refers as the happiest years of her life.
Way back in the autumn of 1955 all the preliminaries in connection with the establishment of a Horticultural Society and a Nature Reserve here had been completed. After a well-attended public meeting, a constitution was drawn-up and the site of the garden was fenced by the Municipality. In many respects this site was most unpromising. Nevertheless, even in those days, this place had (and still has) a certain undefinable magic. As usual, Montagu was in the grip of a severe drought. Apart from a mere trickle of seepage from the dam at the top, there was no water. As for the soil, it consisted of a ¼ to a few inches of soil on a solid bed of shale. At a later stage the entire area was sub-soiled by the Divisional Council and has since then turned into fertile earth.
All that remained to be done at this point in the Garden’s history was the actual laying out of the garden. Justine decided that the big day was to be a public holiday at the end of May. She duly informed all and sundry as well as her numerous personal friends and invited everybody to meet at the garden. She, herself, arrived early that morning laden with tins of sandwiches, baskets of fruit and dishes of chops and sausage. These she stowed away carefully under a bush on the banks of “Tranquillity” – “Tranquillity” was her favourite spot in the garden and the name she had given that part at the bottom of the stream. She then stood and surveyed the scene. She had not the remotest idea how to set about creating a garden out of that wilderness. The most obvious task for the present was the creation of some sort of clearing – a kind of home – spot to settle down in and from what to start excavations. Small shrubs were duly removed, bushes trimmed and branches clipped from overhanging thorn trees. The ground was raked and swept.
After a little while (or so it seemed) Justine looked at her watch. It was 1.30 p.m. exactly. There was not a single, solitary soul in sight. But all was not yet lost. Hardly had lunch been unpacked when lo and behold a car drew up in clouds of dust. Like two naughty schoolboys, out stepped Justine’s husband, Ewie and Dr Tom Knight, our local dentist. They were welcomed with open arms, partook of a hearty lunch and after coffee and a cosy chat they were shown were the extra spades and pickaxes were stacked. To our open mouthed dismay (but subsequent intense amusement) they then sheepishly explained that they had already had lunch and were on their way to the golf course and were merely paying us a little visit!
Other happy memories come flooding in – for instance spotting, many months later, the first and one and only flower in the entire garden to have made its appearance up till that time. It was a most exquisite, spiky dusty – pink bloom. A “Tretchikoff” said Justine, not knowing what it was. There it stood in all its glory looking exactly like a “Tretchikoff” painting. In fact it was a type of Lachanalia – but to Justine, a “Tretchikoff” it will remain for ever.
And then there is the refreshing memory of bottles of icy-cold “soetmos” arriving from Kenneth Knipe’s cellars on a particularly hot day.
A couple of physically painful memories come to mind. An enormous blister forming across Justine’s back where her shirt had pulled out of her trousers and due to the intense heat. Also a vision of Justine bent double under a thorn bush with Sewes, the garden assistant, using his pocket knife to cut out a particularly evil-looking “pendoring” which had become imbedded in her back and had broken off.
There are memories of firsts – the first tea party, the first major set-back, the first friends. A most charming man staying at the Avalon discovered us one day while he was out for a walk. He sat down on the ground with us and had a cup of tea and a biscuit. You might call that the first tea party at the Nature Garden – tea parties for which the Montagu Nature Garden is now so justly famous.
Particularly dear to Justine’s heart are some of the first friends of the garden – Mr. & Mrs. Frank Orchard, Mr. Terry, General Trifts and a host of visitors who used to spend the winter holidays here at the Avalon.
Justine will surely recall the occasion of her first major garden disaster. Someone had given her a packet of Namaqualand-daisy seeds. Oddly enough, these daisies were not so plentiful here in those days. In spite of the adverse conditions, she had managed to get a small patch of these flowers growing at the little entrance gate. Of these she was inordinately proud. Late one Sunday afternoon there was a phone call from Justine in a state of near-hysteria and incoherence. It appeared that Justine and Ewie had driven to the Nature Garden to gaze upon her beloved patch of Namaqualand Daisies when they discovered that someone had left the big gate at the top of the garden open. Bella van der Merwe’s cows, which were grazing in the vicinity, had strayed in there, down through the garden onto her daisy patch, some of which they had nibbled on, others they had trampled underfoot and on the rest to add insult to injury and to show their utter contempt for her efforts at gardening they had left large, moist smelly cow pats!!
Justine ons het baie “sports” in die tuin gehad.
Wel Dames en Here, daardie beginjare van die Natuurtuin se ontstaan, daardie jare toe almal ingespring het en self met pik en graaf gewerk het is nou reeds lank verby. Die aangename herinneringe bly agter. Dis die geval van “the song is over, but the melody lingers on”. So tussen al die gelag en gepraat en harde werk deur is iets unieks hier totstand gebring wat nie daar sou gewees het as dit nie vir jou was nie, Justine. Ons sê vir jou vaarwel met swaar
The passing of Justine
Justine is remembered
They then moved to this building on the corner of Kohler and Bath Streets which Justine called The Cloister. They ran their business and lived in the building.
Picture: Google Streetview 2010
Everhardus Johannes Jacobus Basson
1910 – 1985
A Golden Oldie to enjoy thank you James Thompson
Montagu Eerste Rugbyvoetbalspan 1935
Wenners van die 2de Plattelandse en Van Eeden’s Bekers
Back L – R S. Pienaar, S. Wolvaart, M. van Zyl, B. Vermeulen, J. Conroy, W. le Roux, G. le Roux, S. Olivier
Middle L – R J. Thomson, Mnr. J. Ehrensperger(President), J Coetzee(Kaptein), E. Basson(O. Kaptein), Mnr. V. Smith(Kom – lid)
Front L – R J. Roussouw, P. van Coller, H. de Bod
Justine and Ewie with staff of Basson and Kie Bath Street Montagu after the store closed its doors for the last time.
The 1954 Festival Committee charged with arranging the festivities to celebrate Montagu’s 100th birthday
Agter L/R: G.P. Basson (Hoof van die Laerskool en broer van Ewie), M. Abramowitz (winkeleienaar), I.S. Terblanche (hoof van die Hoërskool Montagu).
Middel L/R: W.I.B. du Plessis (stadsklerk), A.J. (Abe) Jordaan, sekretaris (Skriba), J.J. (Koos) Hauptfleisch (afgetrede boer), H.C. Louw (onderwyser), E.J.J. (Ewie) Basson (kerkraad en burgemeester 1954-1971), dr. J.E. Kellerman (onderwyser en kerkraadslid), P.J. Joubert (drankhandelaar), en J.J. Nel (boer).
Voor: L/R: Mev. dr. Kellerman, mev. ds. Malan, mev. ds. Coetzee, ds. E.G.D. Coetzee, ds. Berning Malan, J.D. de Kock (afgetrede boer, burgemeester 1946-1954) en mej. Rae Wessels.
Foto: Montagu Museum
Ewie with Montagu Museum archivist Mrs Bee Jordaan attending a museum function
Relaxing: L/R Barbara (neice), Rennie, Philip (nephew) Madeleine (neice) and Ardri at the back
Ewie honoured for 50 years of service
Oom Ewie Basson (74) tree na byna vyftig jaar uit
Van Beula Liebenberg
(Worcester Standard 4th May 1984)
Montagu. – Ewie. Basson, oud-stadsklerk en burgermeester van Montagu, het aan die einde van April as amptenaar van die Montagu Munisipaliteit uitgetree. Hy was vir byna 50 jaar intiem met die Munisipaliteit gemoeid.
Nadat hy sy B.Comm graad op Stellenbosch verwerf het, begin hy in 1932 as adjunk stads- klerk in die Strand werk. Vanaf Mei 1935 tot September 1948 was hy stadsklerk van Montagu. Hy bedank uit hierdie pos toe hy as bestuurder van ʼn koöperatiewe handelsaak op Montagu aangestel word.
Hy begin later sy eie algemene handelaarsaak en in 1970 verkoop hy dit aan ‘n.bekende plaasllke handelsfirma. Hy tree terselfdertyd by die firma in diens as kreditbestuurder /sekretaris tot Mei 1979. Vanaf Junie 1979 beklee hy die pos van curator van Montagu se Natuurreservaat en parke.
Nadat hy as stadsklerk van Montagu bedank het,het hy vir 29 jaar as stadsraadslid van Montagu gedjen, Gedurende hierdie tydperk was hy vir ses jaar onder – burgemeester en daarna vir elf jaar burgemeester.
Gedurende sy dienstermyn as stadsklerk en raadslid was mnr. Basson verantwoordelik vir die aanplant van bome langs Montagu se strate en vir die stigting van die Natuurreservaat in 1954.
Mnr. Basson het vir ʼn lang tyd op die bestuur van die plaaslike Afrikaanse Sakekamer gedien en ook die Munisipaliteit vir twintig jaar op die WP se Publisiteitverening verteenwoordig. Hy het ook die Reklamevereniging gestig en in 1954 die Montagu Tuinbouvereniging, beide organisasies waarvan hy serdert stigingnog steeds voorsitter is.
Mnr. Basson is ʼn groot sportentoesias. Hy het sy rugbyloopbaan in 1926 as agsteman en onder-kaptein van die skoolspan op Malmesbury begin.
In 1940 speel hy vir Boland nada thy in 1934 en 1936 as agsteman vir WP gespeel het. In 1937het hy aan proefwedstryde vir daardie jaar se Springbokspan deelgeneem. Hy is ook die afgelope 12 jaar voorsitter van Montagu se gholf klub.
Mnr. Basson is in 1938 met mej. Justine Joubert van Montagu getroud. Hul twee getroude seuns en twee dogters, wat almal aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch studierhet, tot dusver ook almal baie goed op die sportgebied presteer.
Oom Ewie, soos almal hom ken, is op 74 – jarige leeftyd nog steeds ʼn aktiewe tennis en gholfspeler. Hy is van plan om sy rustyd nog meer tyd aan sy tien kleinkinders te bestee.
This picture hangs in the Langeberg municipal offices Bath Street with the other past mayors of Montagu.
The Children
L/R: Adriaan (Adri), Wilna, Peter Joubert (Pietman) and La Guerenne (Rennie)
Flip Kriel: ‘n Stap deur die ou begraafplaas lewer ‘n paar interessanthede op. (Ek noem die betrokke mense op hulle voorname, nie uit disrespek nie maar om almal te “oom” en “tannie” of te “meneer, mevrou” klink bloot verspot)
Ek het altyd gewonder waar Ewie Basson (burgemeester van Montagu 1954- 1971) se jongste dogter – La Guerenne se naam vandaan kom. Nou weet ek! – van haar oumagrootjie af – Justina La Guerenne (foto 1) reeds in 1895 oorlede op 44.
Ewie Basson se vrou, Justine, is vernoem na haar ouma – die nimlike Justina La Guerenne wie se seun Daniel Laguerenne van Zyl – Danie – (foto 2) die stigter was van die prokureursfirma Van Zyl & Hofmeyr (wat nog steeds bestaan) saam met Andrew Hofmeyr (foto 3) seun van die eerste NG predikant op Montagu (1860) dr Servaas Hofmeyr (foto 4)
Andrew Hofmeyr se twee seuns, Montie (foto 5) wat getroud was met die bekende Esther Hofmeyr (geb Houman) en Koffie (foto 6) wat die eerste Springbokrugbyspeler was wat Montagu opgelewer het (1937), het die prokureursfirma voortgesit.
Justina La Guerenne van Zyl se dogter, Dirkje (Daisy) en WA Joubert (foto 7) was die ouers van Justine Basson.
WA Joubert se pa was die eienaar van (La) Rochelle – die herehuis op die h/v Lang- en du Toitstraat waar dr. Coetzee in my skooljare gewoon het.
Ten slotte, Danie van Zyl (foto 2) se dogter, Babs, en haar niggie Justine Basson was die twee persone wat in 1954 die leiding geneem het met die beplanning, uitleg en aanplanting van die Montagu Natuurtuin.
Rennie 1963 in Standard 4 already showing the winning mentality. Cups for Netball, Tennis, Athletics and Flower arranging
Rennie
Note: Last sentence should read: Baby Justine La Guerenne Rose-Innes on the ocassion of her Christening
The Rennie and Cari sporting team
Rennie and her husband Cari were the first husband and wife duo to captain WP at the same time.
Rennie and Cari
Highlights of Rennie’s sporting achievements
Point of interest: While compiling this story Rennie posed the following question: Where did the La come from in front of Rochelle? The picture left shows only the name Rochelle on a gate post of La Rochelle the early family home of her Joubert family (2025).
Adri en Wilna Hoërskool Montagu. Wilna was the first bride to get married in the Montagu Nature Garden
Wilna
Wilna on her wedding day (15 October 1966) picture taken at her parents home in Kohler Street home
Wilna with her mother Justine at Montagu Nature Garden
Wilna was also part of this sport loving family and played netball for Border in 1962 and was a regular league tennis player for many years.
Pietman and Montagu High School
Pietman back 3rd left Montagu High School athletics 1960
Reunion at Retreat (Kalkoennes)1992. Pietman matriculated in 1962
2012 Pietman hosts the 50 year class school reunion at the family holiday home Retreat
Dawie Du Toit en Pietman
Marlene, Johnny, Paul, Gawie, Lourens, Pietman, Arthur, Burrie, Bennie, Coenie, Mariaan, Helene, Eric.
Elria Roux: Lockdown het my forseer om ordentlike ‘spring cleaning’ te doen en met die delf ek deur ‘n klomp ou boeke van my pa-hulle. Ek kom toe af op die boek met die Landbou punte van die Junie-eksamen van 1955! Ek herken so hier en daar ‘n naam, maar dit was ‘n hele paar jaar voor my geboorte. Dalk is van julle op die groep of herken julle van die name? My pa is Willem Louwrens, oud landbouonderwyser.
Witzenberg Nuus/News (July4, 2014)
Die gemeenskap van Ceres is weereens diep geroer met die skielike heengaan van ‘n welbekende en beminde sakeman op die dorp. Pietman Basson , voorheen eienaar van AJ Rankins Uitrusters asook Bassons Sports is skielik oorlede vanoggend. Hy het ‘n tydjie gelede ‘n hartklep vervanging gehad en het tuis by die huis aangesterk. Hy was voorheen ‘n provinsiale rugbyspeler en het ook uitgeblink in tennis. Hy het op verskeie organisasies in Ceres gedien en het ‘n waardevolle bydrae tot die gemeenskap gemaak. Ons innige simpatie gaan aan sy vrou Christine, sy kinders Justine, Patrys, Pieter asook skoonseun Corne Krigé.
Paul Fouche: Dankie vir kosbare geskiedenis! Wat ‘n voorreg om die Basson-gesin in hulle fleur te kon beleef! Selfs die onnutsige Pietman. Nooit ver van kattekwaad af nie.
Adri was as tennisspeler bekend vir ‘n driftige afslaan. Hy kon ‘n tennisbal behoorlik stukkend moker!
Hoe gepas was oom Joe Buirski se bekendstelling nie die aand, in 1965, net voor die vertoning van My fair lady, in die Venus-rolprentteater nie: “And now, the fairest lady of them all – Justine Basson!”
Thank you Rennie for all the photo’s and information about your family
Use the link below if you would like more information on a lost tradition in Montagu
